Non pain related personal discussions

This is been discussed and one solution that was offered was for anybody wanting to just chat to start a subject in the chronic pain forum that was titled something like 'Just wanting to connect for support'. I'm not sure if anyone's done it though. I agree it's too many emails.

Hello @medic7054,

I can understand how the emails can become overwhelming. As the community continues to grow, it means more members are joining and discussing, which naturally results in more notifications. However, every member on Connect finds support in different ways. Chronic pain can be isolating, as we all know. Please see the following message our Community Director, Colleen Young posted to the Chronic Pain group:

To all members of the Chronic Pain group

Several of you have posted about the issue of too many emails. The current system works well for low to moderately active groups, i.e., groups that get 1-20 messages a day or even more. But once a group crosses the threshold of 40+ messages, it is untenable, overwhelming and frustrating. We are developing a solution for the notification system to accommodate those groups on Connect that experience high volume. Find out more about managing your notifications here:

- [Tip] How to Update Your Notification Settings https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tip-how-to-update-your-notification-settings/

The Chronic Pain group has become a victim of its success. Like us, I'm sure that you're glad that so many people have found this welcoming and informative community to talk and solve issues related to pain and pain management. This introduction thread, "Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself," is a great place to connect with other members and to discover what issues you have in common. Unfortunately, as a community grows, the intro thread can get quite noisy.

We encourage people to start new discussion threads based on specific topics of interest and to connect with the people who share that interest. Or check the list of existing topics and join in: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/pain/

How to start a new discussion topic
1. Go to the Chronic Pain homepage https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/pain/
2. Click START A DISCUSSION.
3. Write a title. Be concise, but describe what you want to talk about.
4. Write your message. (You can even @mention other members you would like to have join the discussion.)
5. CREATE DISCUSSION.

Find out more about How to get started on Connect: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/

Justin, thanks so much for creating the "Non pain related personal discussions" thread! I really appreciate it! There's no way you can know in advance what sorts of discussions will occur on this forum, so you can't create discussion topics until someone lets you know that they might be needed. Thanks for being so responsive! It's really easy to start a new discussion, and I hope that people will take advantage of this feature. Simply complaining and not asking for or suggesting a solution doesn't get anyone anywhere, except peeved.

Personally, I love hearing about people's pets and personal matters. We're brought together here because we all have chronic pain, but there's a lot more going on in our lives than just that. I think we need to celebrate the fact that, despite our physical difficulties, we do have reasons to be happy to be alive.

Thanks again!

Hazel (@hazelblumberg)

I'm not sure who actually started this topic, but thank you. I agree it should slow down the general introduction Chronic Pain subject thread, and give people a place to get to know each other better.

Hi Hazel, now everyone can talk about our furry friends who help support many of us each day. Wish we could post pics of each of our pets, but I can't figure out how.
Happy chatting, Jennifer

@jenapower,

You have to go to the website to add media, you can't do it by replying by email. Click on VIEW & REPLY on the bottom of your notification, and then when you are on the site, there should be an Add Media icon above where you are typing. You can insert an image from there. Let me know if you need further help, I can certainly give a more detailed description!

Thanks for the tip Justin.

Hazel, here's my baby girl Millie

Jennifer, I really need to take pictures of my furry guys and girls: 10 cats and 2 dogs, all rescues, all seniors, and most with special needs. They mean so much to me, they entertain me, they love me unconditionally, and I love them just as much.

Hazel (@hazelblumberg)

THAT is one absolutely adorable dog!!!!!!!!!!!!! How old is Millie?

Hazel

This is suppose to be about chronic pain.

I, too have complained to the moderator with negative results. I am NOT interested in reading about someone's darn dog, cat, grand children or ANY other comments NOT related to "chronic pain". I an not interested in hearing anecdotal references to uncle Georges problems with his gallbladder either. I will be cancelling what USED TO BE a very helpful forum.